Release Blitz and Review: Afraid to Fall: W. Ferraro

Jaded and hardened by the ultimate of betrayals, Clearwater Falls Sheriff Gage Dennison is content with his simple, detached life.

With only his loyal dog at his side, Gage has successfully maintained the walls he's built around his life and heart for eight years. From his secluded house at the end of a private road, to the solitude of a small town sheriff, he has no trouble keeping everyone just where he wants them - at a distance.

But Gage soon learns his walls are not as solid as he thought them to be.

Despite all his efforts, and against his will, Gage's new neighbor Delaney Collins threatens to crack his once-impenetrable walls.

Unprepared for the constant verbal sparring, and growing physical attraction to Delaney, Gage is suddenly fighting an internal war he never expected. His brain and reason insist he keep his distance, but his body refuses to listen. Especially when the lure of her warm, willing body soothing his bruised and battered soul is too much to resist.

As the demons of his past are revealed, will Gage crumble under the weight of his fear? Or will he find the strength necessary to tear down his walls and hold on to the only woman that offers him a second chance at love?

Gage Dennison, the town Sheriff of Clearwater Falls is used to his solitary life. He was not expecting a city girl with a baby to end up as his neighbor. And he certainly was not expecting to be attracted to her. He has deep seated trust issues and a chip on his shoulder. He has his reasons, but his past has prevented him from really enjoying life. He has his job and family, but he is not really happy.

Delaney moved to Clearwater Falls to change her whole life in order to give her son a better one. She is feisty, strong and capable. And she challenges Gage to come out of his comfort zone. But she has also been burned in the past so has difficulty trusting as well.

Initially their interactions are often abrupt, cold, confrontational, and just plain awkward. Gage is drawn to her but is a master of pushing people away. He can flirt and be sweet, then turn himself back off. And she has her own set of issues. And she could either be his worst mistake or his salvation. But he'd have to give her a fighting chance first.

Just because you swore you'd never go down the rabbit hole again, Dennison, doesn't mean you can't consider the possibility.

As they finally begin to admit their attraction and build feelings, they are still challenged by demons from both of their pasts. And no matter how much they both may want to start over, if trust cannot be established then it could be hopeless.

I had mixed feelings about this couple at times. At first, their tentativeness at pursuing something was kind of fun and challenging since they both were afraid. Gage was a bit hard to warm up to. In his quest to avoid connections, he could be rude and standoffish. He had huge walls up with barb wire on top and did not open a gate easily. But I enjoyed finding his inner softness, vulnerability, and sweetness when he showed it. But he also frustrated me with his fear, insecurities, trust issues, and impulsive behavior that often got him in trouble. He had a good heart, but had been burned and needed reassurance.

"I'm not going to change, Delaney, whether you want me to, or not. You need to accept me the way I am, or not at all."

And she could be stubborn and impulsive as well. Sometimes she lacked tolerance for Gage's issues, but then others she seemed to forgive quickly. But I understood her wanting him, but also needing him to really trust her.

"Life shouldn't be about your fear of taking the fall it should be about enjoying the ride. Instead, you've made it your mission to be afraid to trust in me to catch you."

They both definitely had issues to work on. So at times, I wanted to shake each of them for their stubbornness, lack of trust and understanding, and miscommunication. There was definite relationship angst and drama. But there were also some sweet and emotional times too when their walls came down and they let each other in. And I loved his interactions and attachment to her son Jacob. I will admit, sometimes the pacing seemed a little fast and I would have liked a bit more depth in the time they spent together. Sometimes the external drama seemed to overshadow their feelings and commitment. And they both got stuck on their sides of the fence and had a hard time meeting in the middle.

But they say pride goeth before the fall. Will Gage finally let go of his past and pride and accept that Delaney will not lead him back down the path of pain? Or will his self destructiveness cause them to both end up hurt after all?

This was a story of second chances, facing fears, and finding hope when you least expect it. I enjoyed the town and cast of characters especially his brothers Reed, Hunter, Casey, Mason, sister Bree, and their wonderful parents. As well as the assorted townspeople Paige, Cranky, and Molly. There are definitely some other stories brewing under the surface and all of the brothers especially are fun, interesting and charismatic so it should be interesting to see how things develop.

I live in New England with my young family. I’m a stay at home mom to two very active children. For all of you who are familiar with the stress of this job, I decided to complete an item on my bucket list and write a book. I’ve always been a big reader, and I happy to say my children have fallen in love with books, this is one proud Momma.